Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, damaged by a massive March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, is seen from the nearby Ukedo fishing port in Namie town, northeastern Japan, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023.

A government-commissioned panel of experts has largely supported Japan's new energy policy for the next few years that calls for bolstering renewables up to half of electricity needs by 2040 while maximizing the use of nuclear power as the country seeks to accommodate the growing power demand in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets.

The Industry Ministry presented the draft plan for final review by the panel of 16 mostly pro-nuclear members from business, academia and civil groups.

It calls for maximizing the use of nuclear energy, reversing a phaseout policy adopted after the meltdown crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in 2011 that led to extensive displacement of residents and lingering anti-nuclear sentiment.

The plan is due to receive Cabinet approval by March after a period of consultation and will then replace the current energy policy, which dates from 2021.

The new proposal says nuclear energy should account for 20 percent of Japan's energy supply in 2040, up from just 8.5 percent last year, while expanding renewables to 40-50 percent from 22.9 percent and reducing coal-fired power to 30-40 percent from nearly 70 percent last year.

The current plan set a 20-22 percent target for nuclear energy, 36-38 percent for renewables and 41% for fossil fuel, for 2030.

Demand for low-carbon energy, such as renewables and nuclear, is growing because of the demand from data centers using AI and semiconductor factories around the country.

Industry Minister Yoji Muto said Japan must...